Autoformer Voltage Booster Question

vtchris,

If you plug in the Franks and then the surge device into the franks does the surge device show incorrect polarity?

I only linked The Defender twice because posters kept doubting that my power supply was not reversed...maybe they didn't read where I posted previously. And I don't doubt there are better for less, it is just what I happen to have. And of course it won't boost voltage.

vtchris wrote:
My voltage protector The Defender, also checks for reverse polarity, as does my three light plug in, and none is detected. The booster plug or cord has not been replaced.

You must like the Defender as you linked to it twice. The 30A Southwire 34930 and 30A Progressive EMS-PT30X both do the same as the Defender -- and for less money.

BTW, in high or low voltage conditions, all of the above will disconnect power from your RV. None of them will boost low voltage like Frank's autoformer (or the much much better Hughes autoformer with surge protection).

I agree the defender test should be sufficient to indicate the wiring is correct.

Would love to see a picture of the Frank's indicator lights. When I bought mine there was no such option. My Super Automatic does cut power due to high voltage or too low to boost.

My voltage protector The Defender, also checks for reverse polarity, as does my three light plug in, and none is detected. The booster plug or cord has not been replaced.

time2roll wrote:
Seems odd. How did you verify polarity? 30/15 adapter with a 3-light tester?
I have a Frank's and I was not even aware that polarity check was an option.
And yes Frank's is long out of business.

Egg Zactly as they say.

That is the easy way to do it. If you want the hard way (A volt meter) that too can be done

Reverse polarity: What it means
On a 2-wire AC circuit (Say a fan with a plastic body and a 2 wire cord) absolutely nothing

But on a 3 wire "hot/Neutral/Ground". it means hot and neutral have been swapped.

I know of no way that the device can give a false indication UNLESS the plug or cord has been replaced.

But it is easy to wire the outlet that way.

For the record

If L1 Is reversed with L0 at the entrance to your rig. It then does not pass through any current limiting device. So 30 amps can pass to a receptacle which means trouble using 14 gauge wire

Yes a voltage protection device would work for incoming but not for reversal after the VCD

DrewE wrote:
If the input cord or plug on the autotrasformer has been replaced, maybe it was miswired there with the hot and neutral reversed.

My thought also.

If the input cord or plug on the autotrasformer has been replaced, maybe it was miswired there with the hot and neutral reversed.

It seems to me that it fits inside one of those flat rate boxes, but yeah, dang thing is heavy. A neighbor of mine says if nothing else there is value in the copper inside.